When Someone Dies

Dealing with the death of a loved one is always a very difficult time, however with the right information and support it is possible to cope with all the practicalities and still finding the space to grieve.
This page tells you the things you need to know in legal and practical terms, but if you need further advice and assistance please call Integrity Funeral Care on 020 3745 7795 

The first thing to do

If death has occurred at home or in a nursing home, a GP or on-call doctor will need to be called to certify the death and provide the necessary paperwork to allow your loved one to be taken into the care of a funeral director. 

If death occurs in a hospital, then the hospital’s bereavement team will assist you with these arrangements. Your loved one is likely to be kept in the hospital mortuary awaiting collection by your chosen funeral director. If death is unexpected, then the local coroner may request a post-mortem to establish the cause of death.

Legal certification

Before any burial or cremation arrangements can be made, UK law dictates that a death certificate must be issued. The certificate can only be authorised by a General Practitioner (GP), registered hospital or coroner and is dependent on the place or circumstances of death. 

Once obtained, the family are free to instigate funeral arrangements and have the deceased collected and prepared for the funeral day. The death certificate will be needed to finalise  arrangements with banks, life insurers and organisations such as Department for Works and Pensions and HMRC.

Choosing an undertaker

The funeral planning and preparation should be managed by a competent, professional undertaker. Picking the one who is right for you can be confusing and it’s sometimes hard to see the wood for the trees. It’s worth speaking to a few to make sure the one you decide on feels right as well as offering good value for money. 

If time is limited, ask advice from friends who have used an undertaker in the recent past. There are many good funeral directors available but they’re far from all being the same so when you do speak to them, ask them plenty of questions and make sure they can help you in the way that you need.

Finances

Funerals can be expensive. If left unmanaged, costs can spiral leaving the bereaved family with unexpected debt. It’s important to work out what you want and what you can afford.  

A good funeral director will help you calculate an estimated cost for each element of the proceedings and an overall guideline budget. Don’t be afraid to ask how much something will cost in advance. 

Help and advice

No website, however well-intentioned, can ever tell you everything you will need and want to know. Every funeral is different. It is the ultimate personal service. We have years of experience and can help you prepare for everything and help you avoid any unwanted last-minute decisions or surprises.

From helping you choose a casket, to finding a venue and celebrant for the funeral or wake, we will support you at every step of your journey. 

Call us today for more information.
If you need help understanding what to do when someone dies, 
contact Integrity Funeral Care on
020 3745 7795
We are available 24 hours, 7 days a week.

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